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A view into a corner bedroom. Despite the home's efficiency, its interiors are filled with sunlight year-round.

Clear Alaskan yellow cedar vertical siding clads the exterior. Ryan designed a hidden gutter system, which he perfected after an ice storm hit the house when construction finished.

The exterior is made of durable sheet metal with wood as an accent.

Floor plan for Refugio Bariloche by Nicolás Tovo and Teresa Sarmiento

Architects Nicolás Tovo and Teresa Sarmiento designed their glass-encased vacation home for a site in Patagonia, a two-hour flight from their studio in Buenos Aires. Nicolás calls it “a magical enclave” overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake. “It’s a panoramic viewpoint where we can watch what happens,” adds Teresa.

The house was designed to minimally interfere with the hilltop vegetation, which is what attracted the family to the site.

Most of the home is clad in wood, creating a dark, moody atmosphere -- to the point where Paul used to wear a miners light on his head to get around before new lighting was put in.

The original living space is now an open kitchen outfitted with cabinetry made by the couple.

Inside the living room, tall, salvaged-wood-and-glass sliding doors face the neighboring Karura nature preserve. Studio Propolis made the armchair using iroko wood and Kenyan leather.

The dining table overlooks the light well at the center of the shelter.

The spare yet cozy heart of the abode includes the kitchen, a stove, and a prominent dining table.

The cabin, comprised of just wood and glass, feels especially cozy when the stove is lit.

The couple are also design lovers, particularly when it comes to vintage furniture. The study is furnished with a Saarinen Table by Knoll and Thonet Cantilever Chairs.

Objects collected over the couple’s travels are displayed across the book-lined shelves.